Honoring Our Soldiers

Memorial Day certainly is a day of reflection. Port Byron has always been a town to serve our country proudly, both past and present. The many freedoms we enjoy today have been protected by their effort, often at the sacrifice of their own safety.

In honor of Memorial Day, I thought I would compile some information on Port Byron's Lockwood Post Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Many of the surnames listed still remain active in our community.

The old boys in blue are but a small portion of the brave soldiers from Port Byron.

Partial member list Lockwood Post #175 G.A.R.

The last 3 surviving members of Port Byron's Lockwood Post #175 were Nathan Elliott Jr., August Sweet and Sylvester McChesney:

Read the biographies of the last 3 members

Section 7 Canal Assignments

I thought readers may enjoy seeing more of the names of locals that were appointed by L.H. King of Port Byron for Section 7 on the Erie Canal.

Newspapers did not always separate workers by title, so did the best I could with the changing format from one year to another. Also, some newspaper dates were very difficult to read. However, it is fun to see the regulars that were appointed.


Section 7 Canal Assignments

Erie Canal Boatmen Update!

For those that are following canal history or perhaps the history of the Traver family, I just found an interesting tidbit:

In the 1890's by the appointment of Superintendent L. H. King:

State Scow
CAPTAIN: Daniel Baldwin
TEAMSTER: James Blauvelt
LABORERS: Theo. Filkins, James Traver, Abram Coppernoll, Jas. D Dixon, John Richmond, Patrick Campbell, Edward Moll.
COOK: Mrs. James Traver
FOREMAN CARPENTER: Wells King
DISBURSING CLERK: B. R. Lathrop

Now we know that James Traver and his wife were on the canal by appointment on a State Scow, with Captain Daniel Baldwin.

Hopefully a listing can be found from 1880 that would tell us the same for A. Eugene Wilson.